JPH11154439A - Switching device, portable information terminal, and remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple constitution, a good design, and dustproof and waterproof characteristics, in a switching device which is provided with a lid(flip) mounted on the body so as to open and shut, and which operates a body side key by pushing a key provided on the lid with the lid being closed. SOLUTION: A lid 13 is composed of an upper plate 14 and a lower plate 15, and a lid side key 17 is adhered to the lower plate 15, then a switch operating part 19 is set up toward a body side key 12 provided in a case 11. When the lid side key 17 is pressed from an operating hole 16 of the upper plate 14, as the lower plate 15 is movably engaged with the upper plate 14, so the lower plate 15 is bent and operates the body side key 12 through the switch operating part 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch operating device for an information terminal or a remote controller in which a lid, usually called a flip, is attached to a housing so as to be freely opened and closed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows an example of a flip type portable information terminal. A flip 3 is attached to a lower portion of a housing 1 via a hinge 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the flip 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of body-side keys 4 provided on the housing 1 appear, and when the flip 3 is closed as shown in FIG. The side key 5 appears. When the lid-side key 5 is pressed in this closed state, a key 4a corresponding to the lid-side key 5 of the main body-side keys 4 is pressed by the shaft portion 5a.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a switch operating device in the above-mentioned conventional portable information terminal. In FIG. 6, the flip 3 includes an outer flip 6 and an inner flip 7. The lid-side key 5 is bonded to the key top 8 and the key top 8 with a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive 9.
And a rubber base 10 having a shaft portion 10a (corresponding to 5a in FIG. 5) protruding from the hole 7a of the inner flip 7. When the key top 8 is pressed with the flip 3 closed, the tip of the shaft portion 10a of the rubber base 10 presses the main body side key 4a by the stroke, and the switch operates.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional switch operating device, the cover-side key 5 joins the resin-made key top 8 and the rubber base 10 by bonding, so that the cost is reduced. There was a problem of getting high. The shaft 10a of the rubber base 10 is
It is very difficult to match the color of the rubber base 10 with the color of the inner flip 7 because it appears to protrude from the hole 7a.
In most cases, the color of the inner flip 7 and the color of the rubber base 10 are different, and there is a problem that the design is not very good. In addition, dust or dirt enters the gap between the shaft portion 10a of the rubber base 10 and the hole 7a of the inner flip 7, and when used outside with a mobile phone, rain or water drops enter through the gap to cause malfunction. There was a problem that caused.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and has a simple structure, is low in cost, has good design, is excellent in dustproof and waterproof properties, and a portable information device using the same. An object is to provide a terminal and a remote control device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention reduces the bending of the flip by pressing the flip itself or the lid key without depending on the stroke of the lid key provided on the flip. The key on the main body is operated by using the key. As a result, it is possible to realize a switch operating device which has a simple structure, is low in cost, has good design, is excellent in dustproofness and waterproofness, and a portable information terminal and a remote control device using the same.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a housing accommodating a switch, and a lid attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable. A switch operating device, characterized in that the switch is operated by pressing the lid portion corresponding to the upper portion of the switch when the switch is closed, thereby bending the lid to operate the switch. The switch actuating section provided on the lower surface of the lid activates the switch in the housing by bending the lid by pressing the attached lid, so the switch that originally opens and operates the switch from the outside with the lid closed However, it has the effect that it can operate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing accommodating a switch, and a lid attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable, wherein the lid is closed with respect to the housing. A switch operating portion is formed on the lower surface of the lid at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the switch, and the upper surface of the lid having the switch operating portion is pressed to bend the lid, and the switch is bent by the switch operating portion. A switch operating device characterized in that the switch in the housing is operated by bending of the lid by pressing the lid attached to the housing, so that the lid is opened originally. This has the effect that the switch to be activated can be activated from outside with the lid on.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the switch is a push button switch, a convex portion is provided on the lower surface of the lid as a switch operating portion of the lid, and the outer surface of the lid is pressed, whereby the lid is pressed. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch operating device is configured to press the push button switch with the convex portion so as to be actuated to be actuated. Since the convex portion is integrally formed of the same material as the lid, when the lid is opened, the color of the convex portion and other portions of the lid are the same, and the appearance is good in design, as shown in the conventional example. It has the function of preventing intrusion of dust and moisture without gaps with rubber.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the switch is a proximity switch, a magnet is embedded in the lower surface of the lid as a switch operating portion of the lid, and the outer surface of the lid is pressed to bend the lid. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the magnet is configured to be operated by approaching a proximity switch, wherein the switch is a proximity switch, so that the switch and the switch operating portion of the lid are connected to each other. Even in a positional relationship where direct contact is not possible, there is an effect that the switch can be operated from the outside while the lid is kept.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a push button switch having a character indicating the function of the switch on the surface of the switch.
A display of a symbol or the like is displayed by printing or the like, and a letter indicating the function of the switch is similarly displayed on the outer surface of the lid with the switch operating portion, a display of the symbol or the like is displayed by printing or the like, and even with the lid open, 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the function of the push button is displayed even in the closed state so that the user can recognize the function.
The switch operation device described in the above, the display of characters, symbols, etc. indicating the function of the switch on the surface of the push button switch and the outer surface of the lid with the switch operating portion in the same manner by printing or the like, the lid is closed. This has the effect that the function of the switch can be confirmed even when the switch is kept.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the switch operating device according to the second aspect, wherein at least a portion near the switch operating portion of the lid is made transparent. By displaying characters, symbols, etc. indicating the function of the switch on the surface of the push button switch by printing, etc., the function of the switch can be confirmed from the outside with the lid closed. Have.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a mark comprising a concave portion or a convex portion indicating a center point to be pressed is provided on the outer surface of the lid having the switch operating portion. The switch operating device according to any one of (1) to (3), which has an effect that a pressing operation can be reliably performed by attaching a mark to be pressed to an outer surface of a lid having a switch operating portion.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the lid has a structure in which an upper plate and a lower plate are stacked, a lower plate facing the switch is provided with a switch operating portion, and the lower plate is bent to switch the switch. 3. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is operated by an operating portion, wherein the lid has a double-layered structure of an upper plate and a lower plate, whereby the lid is referred to as a flip. A microphone can be built in the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal such as a mobile phone can be used as a switch device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the lid has a double-layer structure of an upper plate and a lower plate, a switch operating portion is provided on a lower plate facing the switch, and a hole is provided on the upper plate. 3. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the lower plate is pushed down from the hole to bend, and the switch is operated by a switch operating portion of the lower plate. By providing a hole in the upper plate and pressing the lower plate directly from the hole to bend the lower plate, the lower plate can be easily bent with the same force.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the lid has a double-layer structure of an upper plate and a lower plate, a switch operating portion is provided on a lower plate facing the switch, and a hole is provided on the upper plate. A pressing portion made of a key top or the like is provided on the plate, the pressing portion is made to look into the hole of the upper plate, the pressing portion made of the key top or the like is pressed from the hole of the upper plate to bend the lower plate, and a switch of the lower plate is provided. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is operated by an operating unit, wherein the lid has a structure in which an upper plate and a lower plate are stacked, and a hole is provided in the upper plate. Depressing the lower plate directly from the hole to bend it has the effect that the lower plate can be easily bent with the same force.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when a pressing portion made of a key top or the like is protruded from the lower plate, a pedestal for attaching the key top to the lower plate is provided. 11. The switch operating device according to claim 10, wherein the key operation is performed by positioning on the pedestal so as not to deviate from the sticking position. Even if the position is determined by the pedestal, it does not deviate from the sticking position.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an engaging portion is provided at an end of the upper plate and the lower plate of the substantially rectangular lid, and the lower plate is bent with the engaging portion with the upper plate as a fulcrum. The switch operating device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the lower plate is flexed by bending the lower plate with the engaging portion serving as a fulcrum on the upper plate of the lid. It has the effect of being easy.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an engaging portion is provided at one end of an upper plate and a lower plate of a substantially rectangular lid, and switches are provided on both sides of the engaging portion. 13. The switch operating device according to claim 12, wherein the lower plate is flexed with the engaging portion of the lower plate as a fulcrum, and the switch operating device is provided on both sides of the engaging portion provided at the ends of the upper plate and the lower plate. By providing a switch and bending the lower plate with the engagement portion with the upper plate as a fulcrum, there is an effect that two switches can be operated like a seesaw switch.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the switch is configured as an operation switch for a portable information terminal such as a mobile communication device, and the lid is configured as a flip covering the operation switch. A portable information terminal having the switch operating device according to any one of the above, which has an effect that a specific operation switch for a portable information terminal that covers the operation switch with a flip can be externally operated with the flip closed.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the switch is an operation switch for a remote controller such as a video.
A remote control device having the switch operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lid is configured as a flip covering the operation switch, wherein the operation portion of the switch and the color of the lid are the same, and the design looks good. It is advantageous in that a remote control device in which dust does not enter the switch operating portion can be realized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a switch operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a substantially rectangular body-side housing, and a body-side key 1 which is a key top of an operation switch at a predetermined position.
2, and characters indicating the key functions are printed on the back surface of the switch 12. 13 is provided at one end of the housing 11 as shown in FIG.
Is a lid (flip) of a substantially rectangular shape which is attached to be openable and closable via a hinge as described above, and is composed of an upper plate 14 and a lower plate 15 having elasticity, and is formed of resin. An operation hole 16 is formed in the upper plate 14, and a key top as a pressing portion of the lid-side key 17 is viewed through the operation hole 16. The lid key 17 is formed of a transparent resin, and characters, symbols, and the like are printed on the back surface thereof. The cover-side key 17 is formed of a transparent resin, characters and the like are printed on the back surface, and is adhered to the lower plate 15 with a double-sided adhesive tape 18, and is attached to the lower plate 15 to which the cover-side key 17 is adhered. The switch operating portion 19 is formed so as to protrude toward the main body side key 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, positioning ribs 15a, 15b, 15c are provided on the end surface of the lower plate 15 in the longitudinal direction.
Are erected in an elliptical shape. On the other hand, a projection 17a is formed on the side of the elliptical lid key 17, and the lid key 17 is inserted into a portion surrounded by the positioning ribs 15a, 15b, and 15c, and the projection 17a is inserted into the positioning rib. The lower surface of the lid-side key 17 is fixed to the lower plate 15 via the double-sided adhesive tape 18 while being inserted between 15a and 15b. As a result, characters or the like printed on the back surface of the lid-side key 17 are oriented correctly. In addition, a pair of engagement pieces 15d and 15e are formed on the end face on the longitudinal direction side of the lower plate 15.

FIG. 3 shows an engagement portion between the upper plate 14 and the lower plate 15. Engagement holes 14a and 14b are formed in the longitudinal end of the upper plate 14 at positions corresponding to the engagement pieces 15d and 15e formed at the end of the lower plate 15. A lower plate 15 having one end fixed to the upper plate 14 by a hinge portion as shown in FIG. 5 and a lid key 17 fixed to the other end as shown in FIG.
Are slightly bent toward the hinge side while engaging pieces 15d, 15
e is inserted into the engagement holes 14a and 14b of the upper plate 14. As a result, the other end of the lower plate 15 is engaged with the upper plate 14 while maintaining freedom of movement as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, when the cover 13 is pressed with the cover 13 closed with respect to the housing 11, the lower plate 15 is moved by the movable engagement structure of the lower plate 15 and the physical properties of the lower plate 15 itself. 15 is bent with the locking pieces 15d and 15e as fulcrums, and the switch operating portion 19 presses the main body side key 12 to perform a switching operation. When the pressing on the lid-side key 17 is released, the lower plate 15 returns to the original position by the return spring of the switch linked to the main body-side key 12 and the elasticity of the lower plate.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the switch operating portion 19 is provided on the back surface of the lower plate 15 constituting the lid 13 together with the upper plate 14, and the upper plate 14 is closed with the lid 13 closed.
By pressing the lid side key 17 from the operation hole 16 of
Since the main body side key 12 in the housing 11 is operated by bending the lower plate 15, a switch operating device with a simple structure and low cost and good design can be realized.

In the above embodiment, the lid-side key 17 is used.
Is pressed to bend the lower plate 15, but the lower plate 15 may be pressed directly from the operation hole 16 to be bent without providing the lid-side key 17. Further, the flip, that is, the lid 13 has been described as a two-layered structure of the upper plate 14 and the lower plate 15, but is constituted by a single plate-shaped member composed of only the lower plate,
It is also possible to operate the key on the main body side by pressing only the lower plate and bending the lower plate without providing the lid side key 17. Further, although the example in which the shape of the switch operating portion 19 is raised as a convex portion has been described, in the case of a push button switch, a switch operating portion other than a convex shape can be used as long as there is a pressing surface.

When there is an interval between the lid 13 and the main body side key 12 and the switch operating portion 19 of the lower plate 15 cannot directly contact the main body side key 12, a proximity switch such as a reed switch is used as a switch. Alternatively, a proximity switch may be activated by magnetic force when the lower plate 15 is bent by embedding a magnet in the lid.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cover-side key 17 of a transparent resin printed on the back surface is adhered to the lower plate 15, that is, the transparent cover-side key 1 is inserted through the operation hole 16 of the upper plate 14.
7, the display printed on the back side of the lid-side key 17 is shown, but when the lid is composed of a single plate-like member, the function of the switch is displayed on the outer surface of the lid. By simply printing or attaching a sticker, the function of the switch can be shown whether the lid is opened or closed.

Further, at least the vicinity of the switch operating portion 19 of the lid 13 is made of a transparent material so that the display of the function of the switch, which is displayed on the switch itself by printing or the like, can be seen through. The function of the switch can be indicated whether the switch 13 is opened or closed.

Further, when the lid 13 is made of a single thin plate, the thickness of the convex portion of the switch operating portion 19 is made uniform like the other lid portions, and the opposite portion of the convex portion is concave. By leaving it as it is, the center point to be pressed can be indicated. The center point to be pressed can be indicated even if a small seal or a thick member felt by a finger is attached as a mark even if it is not as large as the lid-side key 17 in FIG.

Further, the engagement pieces 15d,
Although an example in which two 15e are provided and the switch operating portion 19 is provided in the center thereof is shown, one engaging portion is provided at the center of the substantially rectangular lid 13 and switch operating portions are provided on both sides thereof.
A plurality of main body side keys are arranged at a position below it, the lid is flexed like a seesaw with the engaging portion as a fulcrum, and the plurality of main body side keys are closed like a seesaw switch with the lid closed. Can be activated.

Further, the examples described above are applied to mobile phones and PHs.
Although an example in which the present invention is used for a portable information terminal such as a mobile communication device such as S is shown, it is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained by using it for a flip type remote control such as a video or air conditioner.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the key corresponding to the main body side of the lid is pressed directly or via the lid side key, and the key on the main body side is directly or Since it is operated via the switch operation part,
With a simple structure, it is possible to realize a switch operating device which is low in cost, has good design, and is excellent in dustproofness and waterproofness, and a portable information terminal and a remote control device using the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a configuration of a switch operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure in which a lid-side key is attached to a lower plate in the switch operating device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a lower plate and an upper plate in the switch operating device.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a mounting structure of a lower plate and an upper plate in the switch operating device.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing an example of a flip-type portable information terminal with a cover closed, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing an example of a flip-type portable information terminal with a cover opened.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional switch operating device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Housing 12 Main body side key 13 Lid 14 Upper plate 15 Lower plate 16 Operation hole 17 Lid side key 18 Double-sided adhesive tape 19 Switch operation part

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mamoru Yoshida 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A housing for housing a switch, and a lid attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable, wherein a lid corresponding to an upper portion of the switch when the lid is closed with respect to the housing. A switch operating device, wherein the switch is actuated by pressing a portion to bend the lid. 2. A housing accommodating a switch, and a lid openably and closably attached to the housing, wherein the lid corresponds to an upper portion of the switch when the lid is closed with respect to the housing. A switch operating portion is formed on the lower surface of the lid, and the upper surface of the lid having the switch operating portion is pressed to bend the lid so that the switch is operated by the switch operating portion. Switch operating device. 3. A push button switch, wherein a convex portion is provided on a lower surface of the lid as a switch operating portion of the lid, and the lid is bent by pressing an outer surface of the lid, so that the push button is pressed by the convex portion. 3. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is operated by pressing the switch. 4. A switch is used as a proximity switch, and a magnet is embedded in the lower surface of the lid as a switch operating portion of the lid, and the outer surface of the lid is pressed to bend the lid to bring the magnet closer to the proximity switch. 3. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch operating device is configured to cause the switch operation. 5. A display of characters, symbols, etc. indicating the function of the switch on the surface of the push button switch by printing or the like,
Similarly, on the outer surface of the lid with the switch operating portion, the display of characters, symbols, etc. indicating the function of the switch is displayed by printing or the like, and the function of the push button is displayed even when the lid is opened or closed. 3. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch operating device is configured to be recognized by a user. 6. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion near a switch operating portion of the lid is made transparent. 7. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein a mark formed of a concave portion or a convex portion indicating a center point to be pressed is provided on an outer surface of the lid having the switch operating portion. 8. The lid has a two-layer structure of an upper plate and a lower plate,
The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein a switch operating portion is provided on a lower plate facing the switch, and the lower plate is bent so that the switch is operated by the switch operating portion. 9. The lid has a double-layer structure of an upper plate and a lower plate,
A switch operating portion is provided on a lower plate facing the switch, a hole is provided in the upper plate, and the lower plate is pushed down from this hole to bend,
The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is operated by a switch operating portion of a lower plate. 10. A lid having a double-layered structure of an upper plate and a lower plate, wherein a switch operating portion is provided on a lower plate facing the switch,
The upper plate is provided with a hole, the lower plate is provided with a pressing portion made of a key top or the like, the pressing portion is made to look into the hole of the upper plate, and the pressing portion made of the key top or the like is pressed from the hole of the upper plate to lower. The switch operating device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is operated by a switch operating portion of the lower plate by bending the plate. 11. A pedestal for attaching a key top to a lower plate when a pressing portion made of a key top or the like is protruded from a lower plate. The switch operating device according to claim 10, wherein the switch operating device is configured not to be provided. 12. An engagement portion is provided at an end of an upper plate and a lower plate of a substantially rectangular lid, and the lower plate is bent with the engagement portion with the upper plate as a fulcrum. 8 to claim 11
The switch operating device according to any one of the above. 13. An engagement portion is provided at one end of the upper plate and the lower plate of the substantially rectangular lid, switches are provided on both sides of the engagement portion, and the lower plate is provided with the engagement portion with the upper plate as a fulcrum. 13. The switch operating device according to claim 12, wherein the switch is bent. 14. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured as an operation switch for a portable information terminal such as a mobile communication device, and the lid is configured as a flip covering the operation switch.
A portable information terminal having the switch operating device according to any one of the above. 15. A remote control device having the switch operation device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured as an operation switch for a remote control such as a video, and the lid is configured as a flip covering the operation switch.